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Sometimes, you need self-deprecating insults to deliver a menacing final blow. It’s similar to a boxing match when a fighter takes one to the chin to land a counter-knockout punch to seal the deal

The list you’re about to read through shows exactly that: people taking slight jabs at themselves to ultimately make a more impactful comeback to end the conversation. A lot of these hilarious exchanges are courtesy of the Kamikaze By Words subreddit, showing the sharp wit that many people possess.

#1

Big Damage

Big Damage

Yeetforfeet0 Report

#2

Time To Join Art School

Time To Join Art School

a07121994 Report

#3

Cruel But Not Unusual Punishment

Cruel But Not Unusual Punishment

@JamesBlunt Report

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The Original Bruno
Community Member
5 months ago

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I remember when liberals treated blacklisting as the single worst thing to ever happen in America after slavery.

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Jaya
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how he's always making fun of his own song.

Julie S
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

James Blunt always roasts himself, brilliant sense of humour.

Iampenny
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love James Blunt's humour and ability to not take himself too seriously

Mikey Kliss
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's an airhead who thinks he can solve every issue and lets any loon that compliments him on his show to spread garbage

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tameson
Community Member
5 months ago

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I had never heard of him so I just watched "You're Beautiful" and I'm appalled. It is an advertisement for suicide. Why do you all think he is such a good person.

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#4

Nft Bros

Nft Bros

@Explosm Report

#5

Self Burn

Self Burn

[deleted] Report

Self-deprecating humor has brought success to many comedians. Bored Panda spoke to comic Ariane Sherine in a previous piece. For her, such light put-downs of oneself are acceptable if you draw the line between comedy and reality.

It’s a strategy that many successful comedians today utilize. Some of these famous names include Louis C.K., Bill Burr, John Mulaney, Jim Norton, Marc Maron, and Mark Normand, to name a few.

#6

Take That Dad

Take That Dad

[deleted] Report

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#7

Shrek Kinda Cute Tho…

Shrek Kinda Cute Tho…

@memechaotic Report

#8

Hope Y’all Are Enjoying Those Gas Prices 🇺🇸

Hope Y’all Are Enjoying Those Gas Prices 🇺🇸

dmdim Report

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#9

Some Funny Texts

Some Funny Texts

eaRthWormSall Report

Mark Normand has been doing stand-up since 2006. He’s achieved relative success with appearances on Conan, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. Here’s one of his stand-up bits where he talked about how “evil” his brain is. 

“My brain is evil. It attacks me. It’s like a bully. I’ll be at a party, hanging out, and everybody’s having a good time, talking. My brain’s like, ‘Hey, you weirdo, you’re being too quiet. Everybody’s wondering why you’re such a quiet weirdo. Come on. Get in there, say something, you lunatic. 

“‘Come on, you freak. Jump in, you psycho. Come on, get in there.’ Then you finally say something, and your brain goes, ‘Whoo… that’s what you picked?’”

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#10

Doppelgänger

Doppelgänger

M3L7E Report

#11

Battle Of The (Fictional) Girlfriends

Battle Of The (Fictional) Girlfriends

faraway_88 Report

#12

X Marks The Spot

X Marks The Spot

ExpertAccident Report

#13

Well I Mean Alright Fine I Guess

Well I Mean Alright Fine I Guess

Doktor_Vem Report

Chicago-based comedian John Mulaney has a deep, impressive résumé, which includes two Primetime Emmy Awards and a successful Netflix special. However, he rose to prominence as a Saturday Night Live cast member. Here’s his self-deprecating stand-up bit about looking older. 

“Have you ever seen America’s Most Wanted when they age a photo of someone? Just take my kindergarten photo, yellow the teeth, put bags under the eyes, and be like, ‘This is what he would look like now.’”

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#14

No B**ches?

No B**ches?

throwaway738182994 Report

#15

That's As "Fitting" As It Gets

That's As "Fitting" As It Gets

Karosso Report

#16

Discord Is A Brutal Place

Discord Is A Brutal Place

FireFlyer63_ Report

Experts consider self-deprecating humor as a healthy form of expression. A 2018 study found an association between having the ability to laugh at oneself and higher anger control. These people are likewise believed to be more capable of reducing outbursts toward others. 

From a layman’s point of view, self-deprecation isn’t just a sign of humility. Many see it as a form of high emotional intelligence, and the ability to handle an awkward situation by taking the heat is a personality trait that usually makes a person likable.

#17

Unlucky Day For Gobblin'

Unlucky Day For Gobblin'

4_Alice_4 Report

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#18

F**k These Tires Bro

F**k These Tires Bro

I-lik-cak Report

#19

A Brutal Stabbing

A Brutal Stabbing

BitterExChristian Report

#20

The Men Got Killed Twice

The Men Got Killed Twice

ElsonDaSushiChef Report

#21

Took Down His Team With Himself

Took Down His Team With Himself

KrisNo04 Report

But the flip side shows how self-deprecating humor could be more detrimental than beneficial. York University student Danielle Russell wrote an essay entitled “Self-deprecatory Humour and the Female Comic: Self-destruction or Comedic Construction?” where she pointed out how it almost panders to the audience. 

“Self-deprecation can be construed as a form of self-censorship. Satire is directed towards the self rather than confronting external targets. In a sense, it is a form of accommodation – accommodating the perceptions of others.”

#22

Dropping The Bomb On Your Whole Readership

Dropping The Bomb On Your Whole Readership

Futurism Report

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#23

We Win These

We Win These

ItsPlaguei Report

#24

Martyrdom

Martyrdom

Ya_Boi_Skinny_Cox Report

Experts draw the line between modesty and self-deprecation in terms of mental health. Confidence coach Jo Emerson spoke to Metro about the differences and how the latter affects both people in conversation. 

“True modesty leaves the receiver feeling peaceful, whereas self-deprecation tends to leave the receiver feeling burdened to prop up the self-deprecator.”

#25

Oh Yeah. Burn Reddit Burn

Oh Yeah. Burn Reddit Burn

AnilKapur Report

#26

He Does Have A Point

He Does Have A Point

The_Flying_Doggo Report

#27

Kamikaze With Onlyfans

Kamikaze With Onlyfans

ThenChoice2 Report

For some people, self-deprecation comes naturally. Often, they fail to notice when they are doing it. For Harley Therapy founder and clinical director Dr. Sheri Jacobson, it could be a sign of a deeper emotional issue. 

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“If you get told that you often self-deprecate, and that seems surprising to you, then it is more likely a case of low self-esteem,” she said, pointing out that having a deflated concept of oneself can lead to a deep, “serious” depression.

#28

Apple Didn’t Fall Far From The Ugly Tree

Apple Didn’t Fall Far From The Ugly Tree

CMDR_Chris_Lane Report

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#29

Op Updating His Kids Crypto Adventure

Op Updating His Kids Crypto Adventure

Smokedupdetroit Report

#30

Ijn Approves

Ijn Approves

WayshawndeRullo Report

#31

At Least He Is Not That Dumb

At Least He Is Not That Dumb

Elliot_Mirage_Witt Report

#32

"Yeah... What Kind Of Idiot Would Work At A Job Like *that*?"

"Yeah... What Kind Of Idiot Would Work At A Job Like *that*?"

happyfoam Report

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#33

Oooo That Hurts

Oooo That Hurts

ThenChoice2 Report

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But does this mean that you should never use self-deprecating humor? Not necessarily. Like in all things, context matters. A good example pointed out by Harvard Business Review was a statement from John F. Kennedy in 1958, two years before he was elected president. 

At the time, JFK took flak from critics who claimed that his wealthy father, Joseph P. Kennedy, would buy votes and swing the election in their favor. The younger Kennedy had this to say in response: 

“I just received the following wire from my generous daddy: ‘Dear Jack, don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary. I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay for a landslide.’”

#34

Can't Argue Against That

Can't Argue Against That

Mauripeke25 Report

#35

From A Discord Server

From A Discord Server

dancho_razboinika Report

Note: this post originally had 84 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.